Dear Readers,
This coming Shabbat is the 10th day of Shevat, which marks the passing of the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn, of righteous memory, in 1950, and the day that the leadership of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement passed on to his illustrious son-in-law, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, of righteous memory.
It is a day for reflection, learning, prayer, and increasing acts of loving-kindness. The Rebbe’s teachings continue to provide the guidance and inspiration we need for these difficult times.
This week also marks 100 days since the October 7th massacre of over 1,200 Jews. It is heartbreaking to realize that it has now been 100 days since our hostages were taken captive, and 136 hostages still remain languishing in Gaza in conditions that we cannot even imagine. It is also 100 days since tens of thousands from the North and South have become refugees in their own country.
This week, I interviewed Tzivia Pizem. For nearly two decades, the Pizems have bravely served the community of Sderot, just a kilometer from Gaza. Tzivia shares with us how she and her family narrowly survived the terrorist rampage on October 7th. She and her children were forced from their home, but her husband insisted on staying in Sderot to help those civilians who could not leave and to help serve the many soldiers stationed there. Tzivia gives us a personal look at what it feels like to have your home demolished by a rocket attack and live under war.
With heartfelt prayers for the safety and security of all our brethren throughout the world and for the release of our hostages,
Chana Weisberg
Editor, TJW
